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David P. Powell Named Public Affairs Officer for Aviation Museum

HORSHAM, Pa. (July 2013) - A museum dedicated to preserving the history of aviation in the greater Philadelphia area has a new advocate dedicated to sharing its mission with the public.

David P. Powell, president of Kilronan Professional Services, has been appointed Public Affairs Officer for the Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association. Powell will provide strategic communications counsel to the association and its museum, the Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, based at the former Willow Grove Naval Air Station north of Philadelphia.

The new role will allow Powell, who holds a master's degree in history from Villanova University, to put his professional skills to use in support of his passion for preserving the past.

"The Wings of Freedom Museum is an underappreciated treasure of the Philadelphia region," said Powell. "Everyone knows that our area is one of the cradles of our nation's history, but many fewer people know how important eastern Montgomery County was to the story of human aviation. Amelia Earhart flew out of here. Eastern Airlines was born here. I could make the case that the modern helicopter was born here. As a historian myself, I'm happy to have the chance to increase awareness of this heritage."

The aircraft association traces its roots to the May 1946 arrival at the Naval Air Station of Lt. Cmdr. David Ascher, the station’s first aircraft maintenance officer. Ascher spearheaded an effort to modify a P-40E “Kittyhawk”, which then became the first aircraft displayed at Willow Grove.

The tradition of displaying retired aircraft to the public continued over the decades, and the collection of display aircraft was transferred to the custody of the Wings of Freedom museum when it opened in 2004.

Based in Montgomery County, Pa., Kilronan Professional Services provides a wide range of communications, public relations, and technology support services to small and mid-size companies. It serves clients including educational organizations, law firms, health care organizations and more.